DJIBRIL CISSE revealed last night that Thierry Henry has given him the strength to fight for his Anfield future.

The Liverpool striker admits that he must work harder to win over his manager Rafael Benitez and prove he is worth a long-term place in the side.

Cisse said it is the example of Henry - whose advice he seeks on a regular basis - that has offered the inspiration to battle through the speculation about his impending departure.

The Liverpool forward was again linked with Marseille yesterday, and has yet to convince Benitez, who looked close to selling the Frenchman in the summer.

But Henry suffered a similar nightmare start to his career at Arsenal, scoring just four league goals in his first five months.

The Highbury forward came through his trials to prove a spectacular success, ending his first English season in 2000 with an amazing 31 goals, and now he is offering the wealth of his experience to help his friend and international colleague Cisse.

"I have to do much more to win over the manager," said Cisse. "I know I can do better.

"Thierry has helped me a lot in trying to do that. We talk when we are away on international duty with France and he says that I have to keep going, to keep believing in myself. He told me to be strong and it will come eventually.

"He is surprised that I score whenever I play for France, but not so much for Liverpool. I know I could score more goals and I know I must work harder to do that."

Cisse has a problem convincing Benitez, because the Spanish coach places great emphasis on collective team play and so far Cisse has not been able to fully integrate himself into the team's tactical approach.

The Frenchman is likely to be in the starting line-up against Betis this evening as Liverpool go in search of the point that will guarantee them progress into the knockout phase of the Champions League.

But there is still a lingering doubt in Benitez's mind about Cisse's long-term future.

"You need to have a bit more patience with strikers," said Benitez. "It is difficult for a player like Cisse when he is scoring goals and is a big star at a small club, then he goes to a team where there are five or six at the same level or even higher.

"If you want to win trophies you need stars but you need everyone to work. All the others are good players here and he has to work for them as well as for himself."

Liverpool still have a doubt over Xabi Alonso for tonight's game, but Benitez said both he and Spanish team-mate Luis Garcia will be available for selection.